Fiat India launched Palio S10 gets those itsy-bitsy bits that elevate a run-of-the-mill hatchback to one with some attitude. The Palio S10 is a limited edition car baring Sachin Tendulkar’s signature. With only 500 units to be produced, you get only one S10 for almost two million Indians.

 

For starters, a quick-grab-your-sunglasses body colour called Canary Yellow, a spoiler, five-spoke alloy wheels though with the same Bridgestone 14″ rubber, and Tendulkar’s signature and logo scattered here and there. Inside, two little engraved metal plaques on the front left door and on the boot sill tell you the number of the car, and the logo again appears on the special velour upholstery.

 

What’s more interesting are elements like a meaty leather steering wheel, non-slip metal pedals, a leather gear lever knob, a silver finish music system with six speakers, and a driver’s side airbag, no less.

 

The Palio is undoubtedly the best hatchback manufactured in the country today, and with all the goodies that the S10 is loaded with, it becomes that much more irresistible. What makes it really hot is the 1596 CC DOHC 16-valver that pumps out 100 bhp at 5500 revs and 14 kgm of turning force at 4250 rpm. It has 16 valves clamoring for attention. And with a power to weight ratio of around 92.6 bhp per tonne, the Palio gets into a bigger confederacy.

 

By the way, Fiat has revised the gearbox in the S10, where they have changed the ratios in the third and fourth gears, simply to offer better mid-range performance. Then you have the superb A178 platform underpinnings, which give you an exemplary ride quality and mature handling that bigger cars could emulate. The S10 genuinely takes the Palio a notch higher than the GTX. Because on every straight you get, you know that there’s plenty of oomph for a hatchback, and every action of downshifting, let’s say while overtaking, gets the engine singing lustily, leaving others behind in a blizzard of Canary Yellow. Downshift, a mild tap on the brake pedal, and round off the apex with another thrust on the accelerator – you can do this for hours on end. The best part is the constant interaction between the meaty steering wheel and the chunky gear knob, which heighten the experience. That’s when you realize that this car is something special.

Filed under: Fiat Cars in India